Understanding Latin Legalese - dummies Understanding Latin Legalese By Clifford A. Hull, Steven R. Perkins, Tracy Barr Most lawyers love to throw around Latin phrases. The reason for this is that ancient Rome’s legal system has had a strong influence on the legal systems of most western countries. After all, at one time, the Romans had conquered most of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. The Roman motto was divide et impera (dee-vee-deh eht im-peh-rah) — “divide and conquer.” As they conquered nations, they set out to “Latinize” the “barbarians” (anyone who wasn’t Roman). Their goal was to teach them how to think, act, and be like real Romans. As the Roman Empire slowly crumbled and disappeared, the new orders in all these lands gradually adapted the existing legal system. England (and most of its former colonies) and the United States of America use a variation of the old Roman law called “Common Law.” This is why lawyers today love those Latin phrases!

(Well, that and the fact that you can’t get out of law school without mastering them.) This article gives you the information that you need to make sense of what your lawyer, judge, or parole officer is saying. Knowing what a sentence or phrase, like “The case is now sub judice (sub you-dee-kay)” or “What you are proposing is contra legem (kon-trah lay-ghem),” means, can help — even when you’re just watching Court TV or The Practice. English legal terms are full of Latin words and phrases. Several of these terms are so common, you use them today without any problem or confusion. Take these words for example: alibi (ah-lee-bee; elsewhere, at another place). If you’re asked to provide an alibi for your whereabouts, you know that you need to tell where you were when a crime occurred to prove that you couldn’t have been the one who did the awful deed. alias (ah-lee-ahs; at another time, otherwise). Today, alias often refers to an alternative name people generally use to conceal their identity.

“John Smith alias Henry Taylor alias Clyde the Hustler” means John Smith is otherwise known as Henry Taylor who is otherwise known as Clyde the Hustler. per se (purr say; by itself). Also meaning “as such” in English usage, per se is used casually in English conversations: I didn’t call him stupid, per se. I simply said he had plenty to learn. versus (wer-soos; turned). Often abbreviated as vs., the more common English meaning is “against” or “in contrast to”: In the case Roe versus Wade, privacy in cases of abortion was an issue. Table 1 lists other common Latin words used in English courts and legal proceedings. (Keep in mind that the pronunciation here shows how the Romans would have pronounced these words.) Table 1: Common Latin Words Used Today Word under the penalty an order commanding a person to appear in court under a penalty for not appearing The following sections offer more Latin words used in courts today. Like the preceding words, you may have heard many of these words already; you may even be using them without knowing what they really mean. Don’t worry. Many of those using them don’t know either.

Common courtroom Latin Many of the terms that lawyers and other legal folk use have come down to us in their original Latin forms. Table 2 lists some of the more common Latin words that are still used today. The following list has even more examples: ex officio: This word would appear in a Latin sentence such as the following: Imperator erat ex officio quoque dux exercitus. eem-pe-ra-tawr e-rut eks off-ee-kee-oh kwo-kwe dooks eks-er-key-toos. The emperor was by virtue of his position also the leader of the army. Today, you see or hear this word in a sentence like this: The headmaster of the school is ex officio also a member of the school board. persona non grata: This word would appear in a Latin sentence such as the following: Post caedem Caesaris, Brutus erat habitus persona non grata Romae. post ki-dem ki-sa-ris, broo-tus e-rut ha-bee-tus per-sow-na non gra-ta rom-igh. After the assassination of Caesar, Brutus was regarded a persona non grata in Rome.

Today, you see or hear this word in a sentence like this: After his conviction for embezzling funds, John was treated like a persona non grata by his former colleagues. You can hear these words and other words (shown in Table 2) in many places — particularly on TV or in the movies. They’re common enough that the audience can get the gist of their meaning and still follow the story line, but they’re obscure enough to make the actors sound like experts in the law. (In the movie Silence of the Lambs, did you know what Hannibal “The Cannibal” Lechter means when he says to agent Starling, “Quid pro quo, Clarese. Quid pro quo”?

If you look at Table 2, you will!) Table 2: Latin Words Used in English Courts Word Latin phrases glossary and listing - common and interesting Latin expressions, terminology, translations, meanings, origins glossary, usage in legal, business, science and English language (with) the defendant being absent (legal term) - in the absence of the accused a capite ad calcem thoroughly/completely/from top to bottom - more loosely expressed 'from head to toe' Achilles (Achilles heel) ancient Greek hero weakness - (a Greek word used in Latin - the metaphor refers to the legend of the hero Achilles, as a baby held by the heel and dipped into the river Styx by his mother Thetis to make him immortal, leaving his heel vulnerable, such that when shot there by an arrow he died, hence the 'Achilles heel' or simply 'Achilles' is a person's main weakness) acta est fabula the drama has been acted out it's all over/it's finished/the end A.D. (anno domini) in the year of the Lord denotes that the year is since Christ's birth in the Julian and Gregorian calendars - contrasting with B.C.

(Before Christ), which signifies years 'Before Christ', which are counted backwards - there is no zero year ad hoc improvised/devised/applied spontaneously or purely for the purpose ('just for this') a fortiori all the more so, with greater reason ad hominem personally directed - (as when criticizing someone) ad infinitum ad lib (ad libitum) with freedom freely, improvised, spontaneously created - now most commonly an instruction or freedom to 'improvise' in performance, communication ad litteram precisely/according to the 'letter of the law' ad nauseam to the point of causing nausea/unbearably tedious a priori / a posteriori from what comes before/ after (these terms mainly refer to philosophical or mathematical assertions) - an 'a priori' fact is self-evident, known without need of direct specific experience/evidence (for example 'snow is cold') - an 'a posteriori' fact is based on observed evidence or experience, etc (for example snow fell in Ireland on [a particular date]) ad referendum (ad ref) aged...

or 'of the age...' (precedes the age of someone/something) affidavit he/she has declared under oath a sworn statement made voluntarily by a person, recorded by a qualified person, usually for legal purposes, such as admission in a court case agenda (agenda sunt or agendum est) things that must be moved forward list of items for a meeting, order of discussion, set of aims, motivational factors - agenda now has a wide range of meanings, after initially referring to a meeting schedule Aiax/Ajax a metaphor for size and stength Albion the ancient Greek word for Britain alia iacta est / iacta alia est the die is cast the die is cast - beyond the point of possible return, fully committed come what may - see the die is cast and cross the Rubicon in cliches origins - the phrase is attributed to Julius Casear, 49BC, on his invasion of Rome from Gaul - as with many other Latin phrases the 'i' of iacta is alternatively a 'j', so that the word was/is jiacta (although some say Caesar spoke this phrase in Greek anyway..) alias dictus (alias) otherwise known as/also known as/aka alibi elsewhere a submission or claim,

 typically supported by proof/evidence, that an accused person was at a different place from the scene and time of a crime alieni generis of a different kind/of another type alpha A (the letter) denotes the first of something, for example alpha-male (dominant male), or alpha-test (the initial release of technology/software among developers, prior to finalizing specification/features and beta-test, being final testing among users) alma mater Master of Arts/MA/AM/(higher university degree) aureo hamo piscari to fish with a golden hook 'money talks'/money gets results Aurora Borealis goddess of the northern dawn the 'Northern Lights' atmospheric display, at certain times in the night sky far north - Aurora is the Roman goddess of the dawn - Borealis meaning northen in Latin is taken from the Greek Boreas, god of the north wind - Aurora Australis is literally 'goddess of the southern dawn', and refers to the 'Southern Lights' (being the equivalent phenomenon in the southern hemisphere) - australis means southern in Latin australis the origin of the name Australia - from 'terra australis', southern land ave Maria beware, caution, take care, attention/beware of the dog caveat a stipulation

, condition, warning, exclusion, limit, etc - typically in formal contracts, also in verbal agreements caveat emptor buyer beware/responsibility is with buyer caveat venditor seller beware/responsibility is with seller cerebrum brain front part of brain - considered advanced compared with early human brains and additional to animal brains - hence cerebral refers to intellectual rather than emotional or physical thought/behaviour/effect certiorari to be made certain a writ issued by a higher court for documents from a lower court for the purpose of reviewing the lower court process/decision cetara desunt parts of the (written/created) work have not been found (despite research) ceteris (caeteris paribus) all other things being equal assuming that no external factors alter the central question/point, conditional on there being no effect from variable external elements - (a qualifying statement establishing fixed conditions around a proposition, to enable a firm argument to be made) citius altius fortius motto of the modern Olympic games confer (cf.) compare (with)/see also (as appears widely in dictionaries, etc) circa (ca.

or c.) about/approximately/roughly (referring to a quantity, date, time, etc) codex cogito ergo sum I think therefore I exist I think therefore I exist, or I think therefore I am - (originally recorded by French philosopher René Descartes, 1596-1650 - in Discourse on the Method, part IV, 1637-44, written mostly in French but with parts in Latin) coitus interruptus withdrawal before ejaculation (for contraception or other reason) coitus more ferarum sex in the way of wild beasts (medical/humorous reference to) 'doggy style' sexual intercourse - historians assert that the expression in its Latin form was used in ancient Rome compos mentis in full possession of mental powers, sane (cf. non compos mentis) con (contra) cornu copiae horn of plenty cornucopia/abundance (from various Greek legends, most popularly: The baby Zeus, hiding from his baby-eating father Cronus, was suckled as an infant by a goat/nursemaid, Amalthea.

Zeus, having the strength of a god, accidentally broke off one of Amalthea's horns, which he then endowed with the power to produce unending nourishment (and anything else desired) for its owner corrigenda (draws attention to) corrections required in a manuscript before publishing cui bono/malo? who will gain/lose? who stands to benefit/lose (from a particular action/situation)?

- expressions in criminal investigation or other speculation - in attempting to reveal motive/responsibility cum grano salis with a grain of salt take (a comment) with a grain of salt/add a note of caution to a comment (in Roman times and more recent history too, salt was very valuable and symbolic of something not to regard lightly - Roman soldiers were paid in salt - salarium - hence the expression 'worth his salt' (someone is worthy of his/her wage) (summa/magna) cum laude traditionally highest/2nd, and 3rd grades in a US university degree curriculum vitae the course of (one's) life a resume or job/personal history/(commonly abbreviated to CV) cursor positional marker on an electronic display de bonis asportatis old legal term for larceny, which has largely been superseded by the term theft de bono et malo (of a decision) come what may/for good or bad/'whatever' decimus from which 'decimate' originates - strictly de dicto / de re of (the) word / of (the) thing (technical clarification of the nature of a statement so as to differentiate) - the wording of the statement/(as distinct from) the thing that the statement refers

 to - these are two contrasting terms used in philosophical discussion/works differentiating between the form of the statement and what the statement refers to - (while quite subtle and technical, these two terms are useful in highlighting the difference between the qualities of a statement as distinct from the truth or otherwise of what the statement seeks to convey) - for example many children's statements can be criticized 'de dicto', while being brilliant 'de re' - (note that there are more complex applications of these terms) de die in diem (diem ex die) from day to day continuously/day in, day out/without a break de facto of fact in reality/in practice (especially contrasted with something which exists in in a lesser way theory or in law, see de jure/iure) dei gratia by the grace of god by the grace of god (traditionally implying a divine right, such as a monarch's title/status) de jure (de iure) (to be) utterly/helplessly/hopelessly in love (with someone/something) divide et impera divide your opponents to defeat them (a maxim adopted and popularized by Machiavelli) doce ut discas teach in order to learn docendo discimus we learn something by teaching it

 to others doctus cum libro having knowledge without practical experience Domine, dirige nos Lord/God, direct us (God is our guide) - traditional official motto of London Dominus vobsicum/Dominus tecum God be with you (plural)/God be with you (singular) God be with you (all)/God be with you (to an individual) - a traditional way to say farewell or goodbye dramatis personae the persons of the drama cast of characters (in a play or film, or situation, etc) dum spiro spero while I breathe, I hope while there is life in me I can still hope dum tacent clamant though they are silent they cry aloud their silence speaks volumes (usually referring to silence being an effective admission or indication of guilt or fault) dum vita est spes est while there is life there is hope while there's life there's hope dura mater tough mother (medical/biological term for) the outer membrane of the brain and spinal cord - the Latin term is itself derived from an earlier fuller Arabic term, loosely 'thick mother of the brain' ecce homo behold the man considered by advocates, and represented by artists, of biblical history, as the words of Pontias Pilate in presenting Jesus

 Christ to the crowd after flagellation prior to crucifixion ecce signum behold the sign look at the proof - examine the evidence - the proof is in front of you, so look at it e contrario on the contrary - actually, the opposite is true editio cum notis variorum edition with various notes a technical academic/scholar term referring to a version of text which contains different interpretations and notes and comments from experts editio princeps the first printed edition (of a book especially) e.g.

(exempli gratia) for the sake of example for example, or for instance emeritus a soldier who has served his time honourably/honorably and earned his discharge denoting the title holder (for example a professor) has retired and retains the title (plus the word 'emeritus') as a mark of having served with distinction - the original meaning derives from soldiers in the Roman army, from the verb 'mereri', to earn emerita (a relatively modern adaptation of the conventional emeritus male/general form above) e pluribus unum one out of (from) many one (big thing) made from many smaller parts - motto of the USA ergo therefore therefore - and so it follows that..

(linking a cause or situation with a result or conclusion) errare humanum est to err is human people occasionally naturally make mistakes - popularized by Alexander Pope's 'An Essay on Criticism' which stated 'To err is human; to forgive, divine' - this is an acceptance of human weakness et al (et alii/et aliae/et alia) and others (abbreviation - male/female/neuter full versions) and other men/women/factors (et al is the abbreviation - et alii is 'and other men'; et aliae is 'and other women'; et alia is 'and other things' - traditionally speech etiquette suggested that "...educated people do not ever actually say 'et al', instead they say 'and others'...") etc (et cetera) and so on - typically replacing potentially additional items in a listing of similar factors et nunc et semper ex astris scientia from the stars, knowledge 'From the Stars, Knowledge' - a contrived retrospective Latin expression created as the maxim of the Starfleet Academy in the film/TV franchise Star Trek.

ex cathedra from the chair with authority - refers to statements made by experts, or claimed to be (cathedra referred to a teacher's chair before it more famously meant the Pope's chair) excud (excudit) he/she who struck this (made by) made by...

a traditional printer's or engraver's term preceding the name of the creator/maker/writer ex dolo malo (ex dolo malo non oritur actio) an action (in court) does not arise from fraud a Latin legal term equating to 'fraud' - deriving distortedly from the full original sense that a court action cannot be viable if based on a fraud excelsior exeat let him/her go forth permission to be absent - traditionally an exeat granted permission for a priest to leave a monastery - the term also extended to absence from a university exempli gratia (e.g.) for the sake of example for example, or for instance ex facie from the face a legal term used typically when referring to an obviously unreliable document - the term in this context equates to 'obviously' or 'needing no further examination' ex gratia payment or reward given freely without obligation exit a single actor leaves the stage ex libris from the library of...

(owner's name) ex mero motu out of pure simple impulse spontaneously - (implication being no external influence) ex nihilo nihil fit ex parte from a party from one side only - only one side is represented at a legal hearing (the other side is absent) ex pede Herculem from the foot, a Hercules from a small sample the whole thing can be estimated - an early principle of extrapolation or projection, said to derive from Pythagoras' calculations in estimating the size of Hercules from his foot size, in turn inferred from the scale of the Olympia stadium experto credite trust one who has the experience - from experience a person has credibility ex post facto from what happens afterwards knowledge or law after an event applied retrospectively to the event - similar to 'with the benefit of hindsight', or the sense of 'knowing now what we did not know then' exuent / exuent omnes they go out / they all go out they leave the stage - stage direction terminology ex ungue leonem from a claw, the lion from a small sample the whole thing can be estimated - equating to ex pede Herculem ex uno disce omnes from a small sample the whole thing can be estimated - equating to ex ped

e Herculem facta non verba actions speak louder than words actions speak louder than words - judge by deed not what is said fecit (F.) he/she made (it) made by...

(creator's name) - traditional term used by artists/makers - separately F may stand for 'filius', meaning 'son' felo de se traditional additional title of English/British monarchs, given by the Vatican - often abbreviated to FD floruit (fl) he/she flourished when a historical character was most productive/active - used in biographical information, especially if birth/death dates are unknown, the 'fl' symbol appears with the year(s) of his/her prominence fons et origo the source and origin (of something) fronti nulla fides appearances can be deceptive - or 'don't judge a book by its cover' fugit hora time flies - time passes quickly genius loci the atmosphere of somewhere including its influence on visitors grammatici certant grammarians dispute (are disputing) experts are discussing (a case/matter/dispute) - this refers to situations that are subject to official review before a decision or resolution is made gratias tibi ago a warning before telling an awful or upsetting description/report iacta / jacta alea est the die is cast the die is cast - the decision/commitment is made and irreversible (see the die is cast in cliches origins) ianuis /

 januis clausis behind closed doors (referring to a legal hearing or court or meeting) ibid.

(ibidem) in the same place in the same source referenced in the previous entry - (an academic referencing mechanism to save space and unnecessary repeating of the same detail when citing sources) id. (idem) the same author (as previously referenced) - an academic space-saving device used in citing authors (i.e.) id est that is (to say more clearly...) in other words, in more detail, or to say more clearly and fully..

(this very common term is often misused in place of 'e.g.' (for example), whereas 'i.e.' means that clarification of a previous point is to follow in medias res into the middle of things the way a dramatic work such as a play or story begins INRI (Iesus [Jesus] Nazarenus Rex Iudaeoreum [Juaeoreum]) Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews - ignorantia legis neminem excusat ignorance of the law does not excuse ignorance of the law is no defence/defense for breaking the law ignorantia non excusat ignorance does not excuse ignorance is not an excuse (for wrong-doing) - the implication is that a person's moral code should not have to rely on specific instruction to avoid wrong deeds in absentia in (one's) absence denotes action against or award to someone in their absence, for whatever reason - for example criminal convictions and academic awards in aertenum in articulo mortis in the grasp of death (a statement made) at the point of death - traditionally statements made 'in articulo mortis' have at times been considered additionally believable because the person had nothing to gain at that stage from lying - alternative to 'in

 extremis' in camera in private - typically court/legal proceedings which exclude public and press incipit denoting the start of old/ancient texts (bis/ter/quater) in die (b.i.d./t.i.d./q.i.d.) (twice/three times/four times) in a day medical abbreviations - (for example instructions for taking tablets) in dubio (in dubio pro reo ) in doubt, for the accused the defendant has the benefit of the doubt - innocent until proven guilty in esse actually existing - contrasting with 'in posse' in extenso in full word for word, fully and entirely - referring to a text or paper of some sort, emphasize there has been no edit/removal in extremis in end at death - at the point of (a person's) death - alternative to 'in articulo mortis' - mostly significant in assessing reliability of statements made by the deceased in relation to a case in fine (i.f.) at the end of (a stated reference or page, etc) in flagrante (in flagrante delicto) in flaming crime (caught) in the act (of wrong-doing) - often referring to the discovery of sexual liaisons and adulterous

 relationships in foro in itself (an alternative to 'per se' - by itself) in situ in its natural location (contrasting with 'in vitro' - in glass [a glass test-tube]) instante mense (inst.) in the present month (substitute term for whatever the current month is - (for example "...your letter of 5th inst.

refers...) - ult = last (month); prox = next (month) in statu quo in the state in which (slightly different to 'status quo' - in statu quo refers to a situation at a specified time, relative to a subsequent or prior different situation, rather like saying 'in statu quo [the situation/condition/state] in the 1970s...' or 'in statu quo [the situation/condition/state] before the business was floated...' ) inter alia among other things, included in other considerations inter alios among other people, included within a wider groups of people inter nos between us, among ourselves, between ourselves inter pares between our peer group (of a discussion or circulated notes) inter se lis sub judice/iudice (sub judice) lawsuit before the judge loco citato (loc.

cit.) place cited (work) in the work/place/source previously referenced - (a referencing note used by scholars/writers/academics, to avoid repeating entire sources) locum tenens (locum) deputy, substitute, temporary replacement (for example of a doctor) locus classicus place classic (work) authoritative work/source/extract/text, the generally most highly regarded source (a referencing note referring to a work considered highly authoritative) locus delecti scene of the crime, crime scene locus in quo place in question (where the incident in question happened) loquitur (loq.) (script note that) a person speaks - (a dramatic/stage direction) lucri causa gain cause for the sake of (monetary) reward/gain/enrichment - in hope of financial reward - 'profit driven' - motivated by money magister artium (M.A.) Master of Arts - university degree - also abbreviated reversed, AM magna cum laude second honors/honours university degree (see cum laude) magnum opus the/a major work of a creative (writer, composer, etc) major great, significant - major/maior is the Latin comparative of magnus, great mala fide in bad faith - fraudulent - (contrasting

 with 'bona fide') male captus, bene detentus wrongly captured, properly detained (controversial legal principle asserting that) improper arrest should not prevent proper detention and trial - (the principle is not universally enforceable) malesuada fames crime (that is) produced by hunger - (see Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs ) malo animo equating and evolving to the legal phrase 'with malice aforethought' malum in se / malum prohibitum wrong in itself / wrong according to law (legal terms differentiating that something is) inherently wrong / wrong in law - (for example an ambulance which jumps a red light en route to an accident is committing an offence which is 'malum prohibitum', but not 'malum in se') mandamus (a legal writ) instruction from a higher court to a lower court manu propria (m.p.) (signed) by own hand (old rare term indicating that a signature was made) by the signatory's own hand - (where a signature is missing, or a printed document contains a copy of a signature) mea culpa I am responsible for the problem - acknowledgment of guilt or blame media middle (plural) media now means various things in English, notably the news

 and information industries ('mass media'), and ways or materials for communicating in the broadest sense - the origin is Latin, from the singular word medium, meaning middle, which caused the word to evolve in English to refer to an agency or means of doing something (the sense of a body or mechanism between two parties, acting as a tool, enabler, conduit, translator, communicator) medicinae doctor (M.D.) designation of a university degree and doctor of medicine, a general practitioner (GP) membrum virile memo (memorandum est) it must be remembered (that..) a written/audio or other note - (to self or more commonly others in a work group) - a 'memo' was the pre-internet age standard quick recorded paper communication between work people, typically from a manager to subordinates, or fellow-managers or superior staff - before desktop computers, memos were typically hand-written or dictated by managers and typed and copied using carbon paper (pre-1970s), later photocopiers (pre-1990s), by typists/secretaries - these intensive production methods ensured that old-style paper memos were generated and circulated in relatively tiny volumes compared to the billions of modern emails mens sana in corp

ore sano sound mind, sound body sound in mind and body mirabile dictu/visu mobile vulgus movable public fickle group/people/crowd (referring to the whimsical changing nature and opinions/reactions of the general public or an audience - this is the derivation of the word 'mob') modus operandi method or process for a task or activity/service modus vivendi way of living arrangement between people of differing needs, notably when living or working together, a compromise enabling cooperation mox nox in rem soon night (so), to business/work do it, get it done, act now, 'JFDI' multum in parvo much in little many good things in something small - (a general term for something compact or small which has extensive great qualities) M M (mutatis mutandis) changed as had to be changed altered accordingly - (for example referring to changes having been made that were required to meet new circumstances or law) nemine contradicente ('nem con') no one contradicting unanimously - 'nem con' is a commonly used term in meetings containing votes, where the motion or decision is agreed/passed with no objection (a less common term is 'nemine dissentiente', no one

 dissenting) ne plus ultra no obstacle, no objection, nothing wrong (so proceed, permit, licence, etc) nil carborundum This is false Latin, originating in the British army as a comment on authority/commanders, taken to mean 'Don't let the bastards grind you down', however it is not real Latin.

The expression is structured on the basis of the famous quote from Horace's 'Odes', I:vii:27 'Nil desperandum Teucro duce' - 'Do not despair with Teucer as your leader' - there are variations of the expression; all are false Latin) nil per os / non per os (n.p.o.) nothing by mouth (medical term) - 'nil by mouth' - no food/drink/anything for this patient to be consumed by mouth nolens volens non compos mentis not of sound mind not in possession of full mental powers, mentally unstable/unreliable, (less formally) not thinking straight, contrasting logically with 'compos mentis' non liquet (it is) not proven legal term meaning that a judgment is not possible due to legal ambiguity or inadequacy - also interpreted to mean 'not clear' and 'not evident' non obstante notwithstanding, nevertheless, in spite of non prosequitur he does not proceed judgment in favour/favor of a defendant when the plaintiff fails to act within a legal time limit non sequitur it does not follow a statement/conclusion which is not actually proven or demonstrated by the preceding evidence/argument/justification - an inadequately supported claim

 nota bene (N.B.) note well, take note, attention - (introducing and emphasizing what follows) nudum pactum a nude pact invalid agreement - (legal term for a contract made with insufficient financial or other consideration, so making it non-binding and unenforceable) nunc pro tunc now for then retrospective, back-dated, retroactive (referring to the effective date or application of an agreement or contract or award, etc) obiter dictum/dicta incidental remark/remarks an incidental/aside remark by a judge having no effect on the matter in hand, but which may influence future related issues oculus dexter (O.D.) / oculus sinister (O.S.) right eye / left eye abbreviations used by Ophthalmology (medical attention for eyes) olet lucernam (it) smells of the lamp a negative assessment of a creative work for having taken too long to produce, or being over-worked (the metaphor referring to working late through the night and 'burning the midnight lamp') omnia vincit amor post hoc, ergo propter hoc after this, therefore (it is assumed) because of this (acknowledgment of) the potentially flawed logic in assuming a causal link between a situation/event and

 one which follows it (usually in the absence of any better information) post meridiem (pm) afternoon, evening (see 'ante meridiem', [am]) post mortem autopsy, examination of corpse to determine case of death post mortem auctoris (p.m.a.) after the death of the author legal term typically used in connection with intellectual property rights - (for example copyright generally expires a given period after the creator's death) post script (PS) a footnote written after the preceding message but before sending, PS prima facie at first sight at first appearing, on initial evidence - (a legal term referring to initial yet potentially or arguably sufficient evidence) pro bono publico (pro bono) for the public good pro forma for form (formality) as a matter of formality, a standard document - (originally in law a formal process which did not necessarily serve practical purpose, and this sense evolved top extend to documents, and then to standard documentation) pro parte (typically referring to) part of (a group) pro rata/rate proportionately, in proportion - (in the same ratio, whether less or more) pro se to defend oneself in court without formal legal representation - alternatively 'pro per' pro tempore (

pro tem) temporarily, for the while, a temporary situation, replacement, etc punctatim QED (quod erat demonstrandum) which was to be demonstrated proof/evidence has been provided as intended - this is the proof - (traditionally appended to a mathematical solution) quantum amount a required or allowed quantity - (for example a debt payable) - also used in various latin phrases to mean 'as much as' - more scientifically quantum in physics means: 'a discrete quantity of energy proportional in magnitude to the frequency of the radiation it represents' quid nunc?

what now? what now? - also the derivation of the traditional English word 'quidnunc', meaning a gossip or overly inquisitive person qui docet discit a good way to learn something is to teach it to someone else quid pro quo something for something (else) something which is given in return for another thing - (loosely refers to an exchange, a reciprocal arrangement, an agreed deal or swap, in the same spirit as 'you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours' quieta non movere leave settled things to be - let sleeping dogs lie qui scribit bis legit who writes, twice reads writing something is more memorable than merely reading it - i.e.

if you write something you will will remember it better than simply reading it - (a learning/teaching method and maxim) qui tacet consentit who is silent consents remaining silent or failing to respond may be taken as agreement - the concept has real practical effect, and also to a degree influence in legal situations too quod erat demonstrandum (QED) which was to be demonstrated proof/evidence has been provided as intended - this is the proof - (traditionally appended to a mathematical solution) qoud est (q.e.) quod vide (q.v.) which see see (for explanation, clarification, comparison, or interest a relevant cross-referenced point - (most commonly abbreviated, 'q.v.', in scholarly/academic works - the term essentially directs a reader to more detail elsewhere in the same work about the word/phrase given with 'q.v.') quorum of whom a specified minimum number of members, directors or delegates, etc., required for an official assembly (such as a parliament or council or board of directors or committee member, etc) to be able to conduct its affairs, for example take votes and make decisions - the term entered English in the 15th/16th century, from the full Latin phrase used at the

 start of commissions for committee members, "quorum vos ...

unum esse volumus," loosely meaning, "of whom we specify that ... be one" rara avis rare bird an unusual thing of person - the derivation of the metaphor 'rare bird' - (first recorded and popularized in Latin by Juvenal, in Satires, vi:165 - "rara avis in terris nigroque simillima cygno" - "a rare bird in the lands, and very like a black swan") ratum et consummatum confirmed and completed (in church law) a consummated marriage - a marriage that has not yet been consummated is merely 'ratum tantum' (confirmed only, and can be dissolved, 'super rato' re thing regarding, concerning, relating to...

(the term precedes the name of a subject which is to be discussed or described, etc - from the full Latin form 'res', 'thing') rebus sic stantibus things thus standing as things/matters stand, in the current situation - (normally a legal statement prefacing the fact or assertion that a point of law remains effective or in force recto / verso right / left right/left pages of a book - from the full forms 'recto folio' and 'verso folio' 'on the right leaf' and 'on the left leaf' regnat populus regina/rex queen/rex denoting the queen/king or crown, notably in legal cases equating to the state versus another party, e.g., Regina v.

Smith requiescat in pace (R.I.P.) (may he/she) rest in peace rest in peace (singular) - the plural (may they rest in peace) is 'requiescant in pace' res ipsa loquitur the thing itself speaks self-evidently, obviously, the facts/circumstances speak for themselves - (a legal term referring to self-evident proof of something) salus populi suprema lex esto the good of the people is the supreme law people's welfare must come first (in governance and business, etc) - the expression is translated in various similar ways, and used as a maxim/motto by many civil/state/services authorities to mean that the priority of governance is the health/needs of ordinary people ('the greater good') - the expression origin is usually attributed to Roman philosopher and politician Cicero's work De Legibus (bk III: III; viii), as 'Ollis salus populi suprema lex esto'.

salvo errore et omissione (s.e.e.o.) save for error and omission traditional caveat (as would be inserted by a bookkeeper or auditor) featuring in formal statements of financial accounts scientia est potentia scilicet (scire licet) one is permitted to know namely, that is to say, i.e. - prefaces an explanation or clarification - scilicet is the Latin abbreviated form of scire licet scripsit/sculpsit denoting author/sculptor - the term appears after the writer's name on the work semper fidelis/idem always faithful/always the same or unchanging sensu lato / sensu stricto in the wide sense / in the strict sense seq.

(sequens, sequentes, or sequitur) the following the following - to introduce a remark or list, like the words: 'as follows' - the word sequitur has the additional alternative meaning: 'it follows logically', or 'therefore' seriatim in (a) series one of a series, part of/in a series - a scholarly or technical academic term referring to a published work which is part of a series sic thus, so as used/written originally - denotes that the word or phrase which precedes 'sic' is quoted exactly as originally used/written/spelled by the quoted source - typically used within a quoted passage or extract to indicate that a misspelling or poor grammar or wrong word was in the source material sine die without a day until an unspecified time/date/day, no date has been set (for another meeting or resumption) - typically referring to the status of discussions/meetings, that there is no date agreed for further action sine loco (s.l.) / sine anno (s.a.) / sine nomine (s.n.) without place / date / without a name without place / date /author or publisher - normally referring to a referenced book or paper for which place / date of publication / author or publisher are unknown

 - (these terms may becombined with the word 'et', and, for example 'sine loco et anno', without place and date sine mora sine prole without children childless, no children, or the legal term 'without issue' - often referring to a deceased person who had no offspring sine qua non an absolutely necessary requirement or condition, an indispensable factor solidus nummus (Roman) solid coin in English money history the S in LSD (pounds shillings pence) derived from the Roman coin 'Solidus' (prior to 1387 in English translations shown as 'Solidy', and also shown more recently in English as 'Solidi' and 'Solidii', being Latin plural versions) - the Solidus was originally an Imperial Roman coin introduced by Constantine (c.274-337AD), so called from the full Latin 'solidus nummus', meaning solid coin - the L and D in LSD also derived from Latin terms 'libra' and 'denarius' socius criminis uphold previous ruling/decision - apply precedent status quo current situation, normality, conditions unchanged status quo ante situation as was/before (an event) stereo solid hi-fi system or reproduced sound of at

 least two speakers/channels - initially adopted into English referring to a surround-sound effect, evolving to mean two different channels combining to produce a double-sided sound effect stet let it stand a proof reading/editing term which instructs the printer or designer to ignore the edit in question - (equating to an instruction to reinstate the original part, i.e., before the edit - for example to reverse the crossing out or alteration of a word) - stet is from the Latin word stare, stand sub judice/sub iudice under a judge under consideration by a judge/court (and therefore not to be discussed or published - this refers to a legal case or facts within a case, and seeks to avoid any influence or prejudice on the process sub nomine refers to the name of the person/party taking action - 'in the name of' sub poena under penalty a writ requiring a person to appear in court - originally fully under penalty of a fine/imprisonment/etc., so that the potential punishment would appear after the words sub poena, which is nowadays usually rendered as a single word, subpoena sub rosa under the rose in secret, behind closed doors, privately - (referring to proceedings of some sort - the legal term is an old metaphor based on

 the rose being once a symbol of secrecy) sub verbo (s.v.) under the word under the word/heading, a referencing term directing the reader to information contained beneath the word entry or heading in question elsewhere in the publication, for example as in a dictionary - used as 's.v.

[word/heading]' = see the information under [word/heading]' sui generis unique, in a class/classification of its own, utterly distinctive and original sui juris/iuris of his/her own volition able to take responsibility - equating to asserting that a person was legally responsible for his/her action summa traditional term for the summary of a subject in a printed/text work summa cum laude with highest distinction/praise highest distinction (referring to a university degree qualification award) - see 'cum laude' and 'magna cum laude', respectively the 3rd and 2nd highest grades suo jure/iure independently, in one's/its own right suo moto/tempore by own motion/in own time spontaneously/in one's or its own time supra/vide supra see above - scholarly technical term simply directing the reader to the text above terra firma firm land solid earth, dry land (as different to the sea or waters or air) - typically referring to being safely or surely on land, for example 'back on terra firma' (after a plane or sea journey, or parachute leap) usus est magister optimus practice is the best teacher practice makes perfect ultra vires beyond the powers beyond (one's/its) legal powers

 - typically legally referring to a court or official body which acts outside of its limits/authority ut infra/supra an alternative way(s) of reading/interpreting a document or work variorum of various people denoting comments/interpretations by various people, or denoting a publication which contains different interpretations/readings of the original work - consequently a variorum or variorum edition refers to a publication which provides variant readings/interpretations of, and comments by different scholars on, a work of some sort veni, vidi, vici I came, I saw, I conquered victory was easy - a confident claim of a supposedly simple speedy triumph, attributed to Julius Caesar telling of his defeating Pharnaces, King of Pontus, 47BC (not his invasion of Britain as some believe) - according to Seutonius this motto was carried ahead of Caesar's advancing forces in subsequent campaigns, mainly to emphasize the speed of victory - in modern renderings the claim may also imply nonchalance, casualness, ease, arrogance, etc verbi gratia (v.gr.

or VG) for the sake of a word for example vis inertiae power of inaction power of inertia - a much under-rated strategic concept by which the impulse to react to provocation/threat is resisted - and instead a positive decision is made to take no action - which can produce surprisingly better results than reacting aggressively and quickly without much thought for the consequences - the notion of 'vis inertiae' recognizes the fact that often provocative/threatening situations tend to subside or implode, as history commonly tells viva voce orally - typically refers to an oral/spoken examination vixit he/she lived (for a number of years) - common gravestone term vox pop (vox populi) voice of the people comments from the general public, public opinion - 'vox pops' is now a common media term referring to impromptu interviews with members of the public ultra Elsewhere legal definition of elsewhere Elsewhere legal definition of elsewhere Also found in: Dictionary , Thesaurus , Acronyms , Wikipedia .

elsewhere adverb absent , another place, away , furrher away, gone , in a distant place, in a foreign location, in a foreign place, in a foreign setting, in another place, in some other place, not present, not under consideration, outside , remote , removed ELSEWHERE. In another place. 2. Where one devises all his land in A, B and C, three distinct towns, and elsewhere, and had lands of much greater value than those in A, B and C, in another county, the lands in the other county were decreed to pass by the word elsewhere; and by Lord Chancellor King, assisted by Raymond, Ch. J., and other judges, the word elsewhere, was adjudged to be the same as if the testator had said he devised all his lands in the three towns particularly mentioned, or in any other place whatever. 3 P. Wms. 5 6. See also Prec. Chan. 202; 2 Vern. 461; 2 Vern. 560; 3 Atk. 492; Cowp. 860; Id. 808; 2 Barr. 912; 5 Bro. P. C.

496; S. C. 1 East, 456; 1 Vern. 4 n. 3.-2. As to the effect of the word elsewhere, in the case of lands not purchased at the time of making the will, see 3 Atk. 254; 2 Vent. 351. Vide Alibi. Latin legal phrases, maxims and writs with translations A mensa et thoro - From bed and board. A vinculo matrimonii - From the bond of matrimony. Ab extra - From outside. Ab initio - From the beginning. Absoluta sententia expositore non indiget - An absolute judgment needs no expositor. Abundans cautela non nocet - Abundant caution does no harm. Accessorium non ducit sed sequitur suum principale - An accessory does not draw, but follows its principal. Accessorius sequitur - One who is an accessory to the crime cannot be guilty of a more serious crime than the principal offender. Acta exteriora iudicant interiora secreta - Outward acts indicate the inward intent. Actio non accrevit infra sex annos - The action has not accrued within six years.

Actio non datur non damnificato - An action is not given to one who is not injured. Actio personalis moritur cum persona - A personal action dies with the person. Actiones legis - Law suits. Actori incumbit onus probandi - The burden of proof lies on the plaintiff. Actus nemini facit injuriam - The act of the law does no one wrong. Actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea - The act does not make one guilty unless there be a criminal intent. Actus reus - A guilty deed or act. Ad ea quae frequentius acciduunt jura adaptantur - The laws are adapted to those cases which occur more frequently. Ad hoc - For this purpose. Ad infinitum - Forever, without limit, to infinity. Ad perpetuam rei memoriam - For a perpetual memorial of the matter. Ad quaestionem facti non respondent judices; ad quaestionem legis non respondent juratores - The judges do not answer to a question of fact; the jury do not answer to a question of Law.

Aedificare in tuo proprio solo non licet quod alteri noceat - It is not lawful to build on one's own land what may be injurious to another. Aequitas legem sequitur - Equity follows the law. Aequitas nunquam contravenit legem - Equity never contradicts the law. Alibi - At another place, elsewhere. Alienatio rei praefertur juri accrescendi - Alienation is preferred by law rather than accumulation. Aliunde - From elsewhere, or, from a different source Allegans contraria non est audiendus - One making contradictory statements is not to be heard. Allegans suam turpitudinem non est audiendus - One alleging his own infamy is not to be heard. Allegatio contra factum non est admittenda - An allegation contrary to a deed is not to be heard. Ambiguitas contra stipulatorem est - An ambiguity is most strongly construed against the party using it. Ambiguitas verborum patens nulla verificatione excluditur - A patent ambiguity is never helped by averment. Amicus curiae - A friend of the Court.

Angliae jura in omni casu libertati dant favorem - The laws of England are favorable in every case to liberty. Animo furandi - With an intention of stealing. Animo testandi - With an intention of making a will. Annus luctus - The year of mourning. Ante - Before. Aqua currit et debet currere, ut currere solebat - Water runs and ought to run. Arbitrium est judicium - An award is a judgment. Arbor dum crescit; lignum cum crescere nescit - A tree while it grows, wood when it cannot grow. Argumentum ab auctoritate fortissimum est in lege - An argument drawn from authority is the strongest in law. Argumentum ab impossibilii plurimum valet in lege - An argument from impossibility is very strong in law. Argumentum ad hominem - An argument directed a the person. Argumentum ad ignoratiam - An argument based upon ignorance (i.e. of one's adversary). Arma in armatos sumere jura sinunt - The laws permit the taking up of arms against the armed. Assentio mentium - The meeting of minds, i.e.

mutual assent. Assignatus utitur jure auctoris - An assignee is clothed with rights of his assignor. Audi alteram partem - Hear the other side. Aula regis - The King's Court.

Question: Which legal term is Latin for ‘elsewhere’?
Answer: Alibi